India pacer Shardul Thakur, who limped off after bowling just 10 deliveries on Test debut, has been asked to take seven weeks of complete rest before bowling again. And the time away is likely to rule the Mumbai seamer out of contention for a berth on the Test tour to Australia. Thakur had suffered a right adductor tendon injury while into only his second over in Test cricket at Hyderabad earlier this month.

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Except coming out to bat in India’s only innings during the match, the 27-year-old didn’t make it to the field after hobbling off. He was subsequently replaced in India’s ODI squad against the West Indies by Umesh Yadav. Speaking to The Indian Express, Thakur sounded pragmatic and said he would follow the procedures suggested for him.

“Even if I try hard, I won’t be able to get fit before the second Test in Australia. A place in the T20s (which precede the Tests) or the Tests will be difficult. I will be eyeing the one-dayers instead. Let’s see how my rehab goes. I will continue with my training for the next seven weeks,” Thakur said. Injuries have plagued the young Mumbai fast bowler in recent times. His Asia Cup campaign was cut short prematurely after he experienced soreness in his hip and groin after the game against Hong Kong.

He returned to India and spent a few days at the NCA in Bangalore for his rehabilitation and recovery. He then played a match for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the day India was playing Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final. Thakur though revealed that it wasn’t the same injury that had affected him during his maiden Test. “The injury from the Asia Cup was different to this one. During the Test match, I felt like my muscle was torn off. I started limping and when Virat asked me what was wrong, I told him it felt like a tear,” he recalled.

“During the Asia Cup, it was more a minor niggle and pain. The team management felt it was better I go back and get some rehab done rather than just sitting in the dressing-room there. It is disappointing but it’s better for me that I accept it and move on.”

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Thakur isn’t sure how long he’ll take to be match-fit again. “Getting match-fit will take time. Once I recover, I will start bowling locally, play a few games here and there, maybe start playing in the shortest format and then build from there. I will take it step by step,” he explained.